John Joe Nevin is out of hospital and targeting an autumn comeback

Updated: Wednesday, 09 Apr 2014 18:26

John Joe Nevin: 'I'm looking forward to putting this unfortunate part of my life behind me'

John Joe Nevin has been released from hospital, four days after a vicious assault that left the boxer with two broken legs, and is targeting a return to the ring in autumn 2014.

The London 2012 Olympic silver medallist left the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore today and thanked all those who sent him messages of support.

Nevin said: “I’m happy to be leaving hospital and I’m looking forward to putting this unfortunate part of my life behind me and getting better.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support, which means a lot to me."

"Hopefully, with great rehab, he’ll be fighting a full schedule in the north-east Irish market in the USA in the fall” - Tom Moran

The boxer also thanked his promoters for their support during the incident, saying: "Berkeley Sports and Media and GreenBlood Boxing have been a great support to me through this tough time and we are now working on the future."

GreenBlood’s Tom Moran, Nevin's manager, added that they will now focus on getting the 24-year-old back to full fitness and back into the ring for a series of fights in the USA in the autumn of this year.

“We remain confident that John Joe is going to be one of the greatest fighters in Irish history," he said.

“Our schedule has been pushed back a few months, but hopefully, with great rehab, he’ll be fighting a full schedule in the north-east Irish market in the USA in the fall.”

Nevin, an ex-AIBA World No 1 ranked bantamweight, beat Puerto Rico orthodox Alberto Candelaria on a unanimous decision on his professional debut at a sold-out House of Blues in Boston on St Patrick’s Day.